Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has declared that a re-elected Gillard Labor Government will introduce measures to “strengthen Australia’s shipping industry”.
“We will implement international best practice measures to reduce costs for Australian ships and place our shipping industry on a sustainable footing with its international competitors as well as other modes of transport domestically,” Mr Albanese said.
In 2008, more than 834 million tonnes of international cargo moved across Australian wharves on 4,000 ships in more than 11,000 voyages. Yet there are only 30 Australian registered major trading ships today – down from 55 ships in 1995.
Australian companies using Australian registered ships will be able to pay a new tonnage tax (a low flat tax based on the weight of the vessel), or remain with the current tax regime which will be bolstered through accelerated depreciation arrangements.
Tonnage taxes are used in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and other nations.
The government will also make changes to income tax arrangements for Australian-resident international seafarers to remove disincentives for companies employing Australians.
And in order to facilitate Australian participation in international shipping, Labor will establish an Australian International Shipping Register.
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